Rope or line clasp



(No Model.)

A. L. PITNEY.

ROPE OR LINE CLASP. No. 295,194. Patented Mar. 18, 1884.

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- ALBERT L. PITNEY, OF IVASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

ROPE OR LINE CLASP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 295,194, dated March 18, 1884. 7 Application filed December 11, 1883. (No modelf ii'o all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT L. PITNEY, of Washington, District of Columbia, have invented a certain Improvementin Rope or Line Clasps, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making part of this specification, in which like letters refer to like parts in the device and its modifications,

l igure 1 is aview of my improved clasp with the rope in position as in actual use. Fig. 2 is aperspective view of the clasp in an open position, ready for the reception of the rope. Fig. 3 is avertical section of the case, with the wedge shown in elevation. Fig. 4: is a perspective view of the double wedge. Fig. 5 is a section view of the case with the projection on the side for grasping when it is desired to open the clasp. Figs. 6,7, 8, 9,10, 11, 12, and 13 are views of the modifications of the different parts of the device, showing how they may be changed without destroying the identity of the whole.

My present invention has for its object to provide a simple and reliable device for fastening cords, 850., and to obviate the necessity of tying and untying the cord and the labor incident thereto.

My invention consists in a case through which the line is passed, and a wedge that is, by'the strain upon the rope, made to press the same tightly against the sides of the case.

This improved clasp may be constructed in a great many forms, and its parts may be arranged in a variety of ways without involving any difference in principleto wit, the c6nstruction in two parts, which may be separated to permit the insertion of the cord, &c. Some of the several forms which have suggested themselves to me have, however, their own special advantages, and in Fig. 1 I have shown the-construction I prefer.

In order that others skilled in the art or manufacture may fully understand my invention, I will particularly describe the construction preferred, and regard the same as being typical of all, reference being had to the ac companying drawings, wherein- B represents a metallic conical-shaped case that has been flattened or pressed partly together in order to receive the wedge O, which is intended, as shown in Fig. 1 ,to operate with the said conical-shaped casein retaining the rope, said case, in its outward contour, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5, to have an elevation or depression, F, for the purpose of enabling one to grasp the case in order to release the rope. The conical shape of the case is for the purpose of having the pressure or frictionsurface conform to the edges of the wedge, in order thereby to obtain the benefit of an increased amount of pressure or friction.

G represents a wedge, of metal or other suitable material, with a flange, K, at its head, that has been perforated for the purpose of furnishing a bearing for the rope in its action upon said wedge in pressing the same against the rope in its passage through the conicalshaped case. Said wedge G, in Fig. 1, is provided at its lower end or apex, with an eye that is intended for the reception of a. ring, or, in case the clasp is used for a mailbag tie, with a label-holder, thatwill act as a stop, R, to prevent the case from slipping off the wedge, and also be convenient for grasping in order to handle the mail-bags, or for the purpose of tightening the clasp upon the ropei. e., pulling the wedge through the case. It is notintended or expected, however, that it will be necessary to take hold of the ring or labelholder in order ,to tighten the clasp, as in actual practice it has been demonstrated that the closing of the clasp is. automatic, the natural expansion of the inclosed package, as shown by the arrows in Fig. 1, giving a lateral strain upon the rope, and thereby pressing the wedge into the ease and securely fastening the rope. It was this lateral strain upon the rope which led to the adoption of the wedge with the perforated flange K, and it is this particular construction that makes the invention valuable and novel, the necessity for springs or other means for making the clasp take hold of the rope not existing in the present invention.

In order to open the clasp or release the bag, grasp the case B with the thumb and forefinger of the right hand and pull toward you, when the case B will move down the wedge 0 toward the ring R, thereby releasing the rope and allowing the bag to open. To close the clasp or shut the bag, take the wedge O by the flanged end, or by the ring R, and move'the to release the rope.

Having fully described my inventiom-what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination, in abag-fastener, of an exterior casing having inclined interior sides or surl'acesgwith an interior wedge, and means,

substantially as desoribedpvhereby thewedge I is forced inward by thelateral strain of therope upon the wedge, for'the purposes shown and described;

' 2. The combination, in a bag-fastener, of a casing, a wedge having a flange at its enlarged end,provided with perforations to receive the rope, whereby the Wedge is forced into the case by lateral strain upon the rope, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination in a bag-fastener, of a casing, with a Wedge extending beyond both ends of the casing, and provided with a stop at its smaller end, substantially as set forth.

4'. The combination, in a bag-fastener, of a casing, with a wedge having a perforated flange at its head, and provided With a stop, substantially as set forth 5. The combination, in a bag-fastener, of a casing having means, substantially as described for grasping it to release the wedge, with a Wedge having a flange at its head, and

providedwith astop, substantially as set forth. 4o

ALBERT L PITNEY.

W'itnesses':

F. P. MoDERMoTT, WM. B. MAN-HEUS. 

